I well
remember the Rezza -Butlins had a seven year lease during the war and
the fairground was there. My best friend was Louise Wassell - they were
travellers with the fair and during the war all that travelling
stopped. The Wassell’s had the Reservoir Café just around the corner
from Osler Street and the fairground chaps went there for their drinks
and snacks etc.

On bank
holidays I used to help in the kitchen with the sandwiches, it was
margarine all-round the edge of the slice of bread and once across the
middle (rationing times of course).

The
Wassell’s had a "roll the pennies" stall in the Rez and when they were
shorthanded I sometimes helped with Louise on their stall. It was fun. I
loved the fair and of course because Louise knew a lot of the chaps we
got plenty of free rides. My mum and dad didn't like me spending so
much time at the fairground.

After the
war ended the fairground people went back to their travelling lives and
although Louise and I used to meet up when they came to Cannon Hill Park
for the summer, we eventually lost touch but we were great friends. She
had an older brother Ronnie and a sister Betty. I have tried to get in
touch with Louise and I know she and her husband moved up north
somewhere.

10th June 2014

Newspaper cutting from the
1940's

Edgbaston Reservoir,
1st December 2010

Edgbaston Reservoir,
1st December 2010

Edgbaston Reservoir,
1st December 2010

Edgbaston Reservoir,
1st December 2010

A
notice form 1941 threatening prosecution if you go into the Reservoir
without a ticket or Authority